Abstract: A portable tracking unit attached to a movable object, such as an animal's collar, includes a GPS receiver to receive GPS signals from multiple satellites for use in multilateration calculations in determining the current position of the tracking unit. A processor in the tracking unit processes the GPS data signals to determine the tracking unit's position, and a GSM mobile wireless transmitter is used to transmit the geographic coordinates of the tracking unit to a remote monitoring unit. The tracking unit also includes a motion detector that outputs a motion signal when the animal is on the move. A motion signal “wakes up” the processor that wakes up the GPS receiver and the GSM transmitter to begin calculating and transmitting the geographic coordinates of the tracking unit. The tracking unit also includes electrical generators configured to transduce mechanical motion of the tracking unit into electrical energy to recharge a battery and power devices.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical switch for detecting acceleration or deceleration includes a rectangular planar mass of, for example, etched silicon suspended on a pair of beams from an anchor located in the same silicon base. Motion in a plane of movement caused by acceleration or deceleration is detected by a pair of photodiodes and a light emitting diode located on opposite sides of the planar mass or shutter so that when the shutter moves the interruption of the light is sensed and thus acceleration or deceleration is indicated.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch using MEMS is scalable by the use of a matrix of cross-points located at the intersection of all possible input and output light paths. Cross-points are formed by a MEMS procedure where a digitally movable mirror intersects a light path to provide a digital switching action with the remaining cross-point mirrors being moved out of position to provide through transmission.

Abstract: A high efficiency fuzzy logic based Stirling cycle cryogenic cooler has increased efficiency by driving the system in the demand mode (near the desired set point cooling temperature) by a more efficient sinusoidal waveform. The compressor pistons of the Stirling compressor are driven by a voice coil actuator between compressing the coolant gas and then releasing and being driven against an opposing return spring. Since a square wave provides faster cool-down, this is utilized during that mode. In addition, to utilize the rebound effect of both the ambient gas pressure and the return springs, the voice coil actuator drive is turned off during one-quarter cycle rebound portions of the cooling cycle.

Abstract: An endoscope which is both flexible and easily cleaned having a pair of telescoping sections at its distal end one of which carries a camera and which are alternately actuated to provide movement through a body passageway by a Bowden type of cable. Such cable has an outer helical casing with an inner steel wire. Respectively attached to the two cylindrical sections are inflatable bladders which provide for the movement above which also are an integral part of the flexible sterilized sheath being held to the respective sections by O-rings.

Abstract: An adaptive fuzzy logic based control system for rifle stabilization uses a rifle where the barrel is freely pivoted on the stock which is held by the human being firing the rifle who may be shooting from a moving vehicle or helicopter; alternatively, the firing person may have erratic hand or body motion. During a tracking mode, when the target is being sighted in, undesired motion is sensed by position sensors to effectively lock the rifle barrel in alignment with the stock. During a stabilizing mode just before actuation of the trigger to fire the rifle, the barrel is unlocked, inertial rate sensors make the barrel relatively immune to movement of the stock to facilitate the barrel remaining sighted on the tracked target. The fire control system includes a fuzzy logic controller which by a set of inference rules provides for both alignment of the barrel with the stock during tracking and also for stabilization of the barrel just prior to firing.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for a endometrium ablator heat a liquid to 85.degree. C. which is continuously circulated into the uterus to ablate the endometrium. The fluid temperature is maintained by the fuzzy logic controller which has as its inputs the temperature of the fluid and its rate of change of temperature. Associated membership functions, cold, cool, warm, hot for temperature, and negative and zero and positive for rate are respectively provided. Appropriate rules are then provided and defuzzification with the use of a singleton output function yields an output signal which controls temperature by pulse width modulation.

Abstract: An occlusion implant device for small body lumens consisting of a micromachined monocrystalline silicon disk which has inherently spring loaded integral helical wings which when released by the insertion device anchors the implant in position. The device may be used for contraception vasco-occlusion for treatment of aneurysms and with an aperture therethrough may also be utilized as a stent. Alternatively, a micro mold of silicon may be formed and a metal or plastic disk produced by injection molding.

Abstract: A mobile tracking antenna for microwave signals from a satellite or distant transmitter includes a micro- electromechanical system produced by semiconductor processing. Specifically several micro faceted reflector segments have their facets selectively controlled by a feedback control system and reflects the signal onto a four sector horn which then by error signals actuates electrostatic positioning means on the micro facets to center the signal on the optimum receiving portion of the horn. Each segment covers a portion of the 360.degree. receiving spectrum. The particular segment is selected by a maximum signal being received.

Abstract: A shaft torque measuring device in the form of a compact sleeve may be slid on the steering shaft of an automobile and requires only about the same axial space as the diameter of the shaft itself. Two collars are integrally interconnected by four cross members, some of which carry strain gauges. Frictional force maintains the collars in place with torque applied to the steering shaft thus causing the cross member to bend. This deformation is sensed by the strain gauge bridge to produce a torque measurement.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic controller for a cryogenic system in which, for example, a cold tip cooling an infrared detector uses a Stirling cycle cooler-compressor with the helium coolant maintained at typically 78.degree. K. This temperature is maintained by a fuzzy logic controller which has as its inputs the temperature differential between the desired temperature and actual cold tip temperature, rate of change of such temperature, and especially for startup the difference between a maximum voltage which can be applied to the Stirling type cooler-compressor and the actual control voltage which is applied. Appropriate membership functions for all of the inputs are provided of the triangular type. And appropriate rules related to the operation of a Stirling cycle cooler provide for fuzzy outputs which with an output membership function are defuzzified to provide a control output signal which controls the final cooling power of the cooler-compressor.

Abstract: A diaphragm is disposed over a cavity formed in a silicon base. A plurality of electrodes are radially disposed about the diaphragm overlying the cavity, and a signal applying circuit applies a signal to the plurality of electrodes so that portions of the diaphragm flex for establishing a net angular momentum (e.g., the flexing of the diaphragm simulates a circumferentially traveling wave). A deformation sensing circuit comprising a plurality of strain gages interconnected to form a corresponding plurality of Wheatstone bridges are disposed about the periphery of the cavity along orthogonal axes for sensing deformation of the structure about the orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A diaphragm is disposed over a cavity formed in a silicon base. A plurality of electrodes are radially disposed about the diaphragm overlying the cavity, and a signal applying circuit applies a signal to the plurality of electrodes so that portions of the diaphragm flex for establishing a net angular momentum (e.g., the flexing of the diaphragm simulates a circumferentially traveling wave). A deformation sensing circuit comprising a plurality of strain gages interconnected to form a corresponding plurality of Wheatstone bridges are disposed about the periphery of the cavity along orthogonal axes for sensing deformation of the structure about the orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A high-speed serrodyne digital frequency translator utilizes a digital phase-shifter, for example, of series coupled Schiffman type cells, which have reference and delay paths which are switched by three-terminal devices of the gallium arsenide FET type. No bias voltages are used and the FETS are driven by the output of a binary divider network which in turn is composed of GaAs FETS as active elements. Thus switching in the picosecond range results.

Abstract: A silicon chip is micromachined so that a plurality of tines extend radially and coplanarly from an outer peripheral surface of a circular base. First and second mounting members extend from the base for mounting the base to a support. The first mounting member is disposed generally perpendicularly to the second mounting member. A pulse generator applies electrostatic or electromagnetic pulses to successive free ends of the plurality of tines so that each tine momentarily vibrates in the plane in rotational sequence along the circumference of the base. The successive vibrations establish a net angular momentum approximating a spinning wheel so that rotation of the sensor about the axis of one of the first or second mounting members causes the other mounting member to experience a deformation due to coriolus force.

Abstract: The velocity deception apparatus utilizes a serrodyne technique to produce various deception jamming modes. The modes are all controllable by parameters which are digitally stored and in addition, the modes may be selectively actuated by a remote control panel located in the aircraft on which the apparatus is installed. All of the foregoing is accomplished with low cost, reliability, simplicity and with flexibility of operation in being able to digitally reprogram the apparatus on an ongoing basis.

Abstract: An electronic phase shifter utilizes a serrodynable digital phase shifter which is driven by the output of a multi-bit counter. The counter in turn has its clock input driven by a pulse train which produces the desired frequency translation for noise and deception jamming. Alternatively, the counter has jam inputs for electronic antenna steering and electronic phase shift applications. In order to compensate for step phase error which causes undesirable spurious sidebands, the cells of the phase shifter are pretested for individual phase errors and an interface memory is provided which by use of a corrected counter code minimizes the errors.

Abstract: A bodyworn apparatus that senses and measures the hydrodynamic thrust generated by a swimmer's hands as he strokes his hands through the water. The apparatus consists of pressure sensitive transducers that convert the amount of thrust into electric signals that are fed back to the swimmer in terms of an audio tone with tone frequency varying as a function of thrust and/or are transmitted to a recording instrument calibrated to quantitatively meter and record the thrust generated by the swimmer's arm strokes.